Turbo diesel fuel filters

[mayco]

A question for you Classic Motorhome Turbo Diesel folks. What filter element are you using in the lower filter, the one in the Racor? What brand and how many micron? If you have the number that would be great! Ive been using Napa Gold
3208. Just wondering what others are using to give me more selection and vendors. Thank you fellas!

Mike

[HowieE]

Don't have a number but 2 microns should be your final filter. I would just use a Racor element.



Just make sure if there is a water drain that you get it sealed tight. I drained water a week before a trip and spent 3days in a shop till they saw air bubbles in the Racor.

[Smartstream]

Mike the Racor filter comes in 2, 10, and 30 micron. The real question is how much crap in your fuel tank and often do you want to change filters? As Howie said your last filter, the little guy on the top right front of your engine, wants to be 2 micron. If you don't mind changing that one, run a 30 micron. If you don't want to change the Isuzu filter, run a 2 micron Racor and you can change that one instead.

I added a large 30 micron filter, Wix 33118, ahead of the Racor. It is nearly 8" tall x 3 3/4" in dia. It picks up the heavy crap and holds a bunch of it. Then comes the Racor in which I run a 10 micron, Racor 2010TM, Wix 33795, or Baldwin PF598-10. Last is the little Isuzu which lasts a long time because it doesn't see anything bigger than 10 micron. It's just so much easier to change the big spin-on and the Racor.

[mayco]

Ok fellas, thank you. I'm using a 10 micron now in the Racor, I need to look up the specs on the one I'm using up top. Ill make sure it's a 2 micron.

[mayco]

Further research reveals that the OEM filter, the one on the motor itself, IS a 10 micron filter and not a 2 micron. OEM Isuzu part # 9885111911. Aaaaaaaand now I can't find the link with the spec on that filter but it is 10 micron.

[Smartstream]

In looking it up it is listed at 10 micron. I would guess pumps and injectors weren't quite as tight 35 years ago. With diesel cleaner is always gooder. With my set up it is much easier to change the Racor and the spin on pre filter then to play with the Isuzu. I can't even remember the last time I changed the Isuzu and being lazy that works for me.

I did find a couple 2 micron Racor filters in the spares from the PO. They would last about 1000 miles before plugging up enough to cause power loss. That is when I added the pre filter.

[Isuzusweet]

20 micron for pre filter and 10 micron, engine filter; 2 micron, and as Dan stated, it'll just plug up fast.

I don't have a Racor prefilter, so I can't help you lot.......for some reason, my pre filter is a whole lot bigger......the filter is almost 8" long.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

PS The best prevention is to diesel up at a well used station.

[mayco]

Ok now one more question. how often, either time or mileage, do you change the prefilter (Racor)? One forum member posted that he changed the prefilter with every oil change. Seems a bit overkill but what do you think is a reasonable interval?

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by mayco

Ok now one more question. how often, either time or mileage, do you change the prefilter (Racor)? One forum member posted that he changed the prefilter with every oil change. Seems a bit overkill but what do you think is a reasonable interval?

`

The more prudent question for me would be......when does he do his oil changes?cause I'll go a few years before changing fuel filters.

I maybe wrong, but 25,000 miles if you're getting good quality diesel wouldn't be out of line.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[mayco]

He was changing oil every 3500 miles. Ive been changing mine once a year but this past year the mileage snuck up on me and didn't realize it. Changed oil last week and we had 7000 miles since last August.

[Shermy1987]

Filters are cheap. When I worked at an Isuzu Dealership we changed filters at 3500 miles. It was in Oregon and the diesel in the area (Eugene) was terrible. I previously worked at a Fuso dealership. We changed fuel filters at 7000 miles.

The problem with running a high micron filter and not changing regulary is when you're driving around with half clogged filters, you're putting a bunch of vaccume (or pressure depending on vehicle), on the diesel lift pump, causing premature faliure.

If you happen to own a newer common rail diesel, this can be very expensive. Even on an older diesel, the cost of a filter is a much better choice.